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“He is brilliant, a top goalie, and if any young goalie out there wants to learn how to do be a goalkeeper watch David De Gea. He is world class.

“From what I hear he is not a great trainer. Training doesn’t do it for him. But three o’clock, the adrenaline rush and what comes with that is what turns him on. That’s something that you can’t really teach.

“He’s got the game management, the game nous of what to do at any given time.”

De Gea, criticised for his displays at the World Cup, also produced a superb one-handed save to stop Troy Deeney giving Watford a first-half lead at Vicarage Road.

De Gea: The No 1 won Man United the points when saving from Kabasele (Image: GETTY)

Foster added: “He made a save last season – I think it was against Sevilla in the Champions League – from a point-blank header from about five yards.

“Most goalies would just close their eyes and hope for the best. He watched it all the way, kept his eyes on the ball, saved it and just got up like it was nothing.

“That’s the difference. Being able to do stuff like that under pressure. Five yards out? Most goalies would have no chance of saving it but he is so natural that he can do that.

“The criticism comes with the territory. You’re only as good as your last game and that’s the way it always will be.

De Gea: Ben Foster (right) has huge admiration for the United stopper (Image: GETTY)

“Fortunately for David, people that know – his manager for example, or his team-mates – know that he is the best goalie in the world and that’s all there is to it.

“He might let a bad one in now and then like we all do but he will come up with the goods like he did today to win his team the match.”

De Gea played down his widely-applauded performance, saying: “Normally when it’s a header and it’s close to the goal you have to react as soon as possible. I made the save and it’s important for the team, for me. So we are all happy.”